Liquid-dispensing machine



Dec. 3, 1929. F. T. RoBE-r LIQUID DISPENSING MACHINE Filed Aug. l. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet Fred T. Rob rT y ATTORN EYS Dec. 3, 1929. F. T. ROBERT 1,738,319 LIQUID DISPENSNG vMAGHINE Filed Aug. l. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY Q f Ano l-:Ys

Patented Dec. 3, 1929 UNITED vsurATi-is PATENT rima T; Bernier, ker

NEW 'Yo-:ama y., `assitance or `one:Ham? To rLoiEiacE HOYT RoiERT, or NEW YORK, N. Y.

LIQUIDLDISPENSING "MACHINE Appiicationiediaugust 1,1925. Aserial No. 47,428.

Thisf'inventienrelates to fvending `or dispensing machines, `fandiel-ates more particularly to coin controlled machines for dispens iiig liquidswand `the like and `has special ref crence to the provision of a perfume vending machine'of the atomizertype.

The prime consideratum ofv my presentinvention comprehendsithe provision of an improved vending machine for dispensing liquid @materials i such Vas `perfume constructed Iand designed `fdmefdz' the requirements of `etiicienty operation and I long service.

Theiprincipalobjects of my lpresent inven- `tioiiinclude more particularly theiprovision -ofa liquid Vending machine embodying an `atmnizer,dispensing device and a coin con trailed pneumatic ii'ieanslfcr operating the `sani-ehaving a construction such `that a predetermined and @full measure charge of L per- `fiiinespray may: be dispense-d iat'l each operation of fthermachine a'ndvenly when `a coin `of `proper denomination iis-deposited therein;

the further-provision ofianimprbved pneumatic operatingrmeans designed to bewpesitive andreliable in acti'onesimple insconstriiction and durablein use,` so esto 4requiireHa minimum" -ofr-attenti0n foriextendedigperiods of serv-ice; the-furtherprovisionof a inachine of `this `I'iaturef in which: the Operations *may be recorded -orregistered ina facilerand reliable `Way; andthe-stilllfurther provision of 'an improved atomizeif dispensing `device lconstructed so as lto prevent.unauthorized siphning of the `*machine and adjustable s0 :as to regulate'` the liquidvcharge or spray: de-

livered by the machine.

"To the accomplishment ofthe foregoing 'and `such otheri objectsfas `will hereinafter appear,` my "invention consists in the lelements *and their `relation one to the otheigas" hereinafter particularly described andsoii-ght to` be 'defined in the v claims reference: :being had to *the `accompanying drawing :which shows the preferred embodiment of my invention, and

`"hich: *Figi l isia'fiont elevational View of che dis- `peiisi'ngmachine Withfa part broken away,

iFig.` Qisan enlarged top plan'viewtliereof with the cover removedJWitlr parts broken fawayi :'atomizer dispensing device, generally desig .present` invention comprises a pneumatic actuating means generally designated as A adapted to Abe operated by means of a man* ually operable member generally designated as B When va coin Of proper denomination is deposited` into the machine, for operating the nated as C, to discharge therefrom a predetermined :spray off liquid perfume, tall ,sup-

1' ported by and? lieused Within -cabi-netfgen- .-erally designatedvas" D. Y

Y The cabinetDfcomprises a liensingQroas- 11 ing 1 preferably made of Sheet;` material having the front and `ifea 'awa-141s 10 andjlLithe y theiglOtt-m Wall 14 iattacliedytogether in Vany1approved man-ner, anda re'i-Iiovabletopfwall` 15 having the downt'uiined edge flanges-` 15. engagingthe contigu- Ous'ieidfge portions of tliea'froiit andside :Walls 10,*12ian'd 1&3. 4The front Wall `10de-provided with anfopeiiingfl throughnvhich projects a delivery or discharge nozzlev 17, saild nozzle bei-ng held in fixed relationon saidifroiit Wall by means'of thestrap or yole'lshaped member 18` interiorly affixed to said `Wall. yThe front WalljlO is also provided with a ieiiiovable closure 1,9 liavingithe locking ineansQO, and which `is removed when `access to the interior `of.the.casiifigis desired. t Therefariwall of thecasillgghasan upwardly extendifngseetion -11 which imay `-be suitably ,ornamented as by theprovisionofa reflecting (device 21. i'llie top' `Wall 15 f{ thefcabinet casing` is provided wit-lilla coin chute 22 -havingma coinreceiving opening 23 and a ycurved coin lslot or guide 24C projectingdownwardly a distance below the top wall for a purpose which will become clearer hereinafter. y

The pneumatic actuating means A comprises a pump cylinder 25 including a cylindrical wall 25 and the threadedly attached end walls 252 and 253, the latter having a discharge nipple 254, in which `pump cylinder is movable a piston 26 fixed to an operating `memberin the form of a hollow piston rod 27 guided for reciprocable movement in the cylinder end wall 252. To the forward `end of the piston rod 27 is fixed a coin receiving block 28 having a coin-receiving pocket 29 Y open at the top and bottom of the block, which pocket is adapted to register with the coin chute or slot 24 when the reciprocable meniber or piston rod 27 is`moved to its'fully retracted position, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings.

The manually operable member B comprises in its most simple form a rod 30 having an operating handle or knob 3l guided or slidable or reciprocable movement in a headed bushing 32 fixed to the front wall 10 of the casing as by means of a nut 33 threaded onto the shank portion of the bushing, as

clearly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, thev said manually operable rod 30 being arranged for telescopic movement within the Vhollow piston rod 27 in the absence of a coin inthe block 28, and being arranged for operative connection to the piston rod 27 in the presence and through the medium of a coin such as 34 in said block. By means of this construction, it will be apparent that a direct driving thrust is provided between the operating piston rod 27 and the manually operable member 30 through themedium of-a coin, and that in the absence of a coin, the rod-30will` slide telescopically within the piston rod for the :full stroke thereof without operating the'V pneumatic means.

For positively withdrawing or retracting the piston rod 2'7 and the block 28 uponwitlidrawing or retracting-movement of the manually operable rod 30, the rod 3() is provided with azpin 'or linger 35 arranged to engage a Vcross piece 36 integral "with the coin block 28 (see Fig. 3) the bottom wall ofthe piston rod 27 vbeing longitudinally slitted as at 37 to permit relative and'telescopic movement between the rods in the., absence of a coin in' the block, as will be readily understood.

` By means of this construction, it will further be apparent that before the machine can be operated, Athe manually operable means B must be moved to a fullyretracted position, such movement effecting the registering of the coin receiving'block 28 with the coin chute 22,l and assuring a full operating stroke and hence a predetermined liquid discharge at each koperation of the machine.

For the purpose of permitting the depositing of a coin into the chute 22 when the operable means B is in anon-retracter position, the coin chute, the rod 30 and the block 28 are so coordinated that the rod 30 forms a stop and retaining means for the deposited coin when the rod is in a non-retracted position, the arrangement being such that when the rod-is moved to the fully retracted position, the coin drops into the block 28. To accomplish these objects, the lower end 24 of the coin slot 24 is spaced above the top wall of the operating rod 30 with a slight clearance such that the top wall of the rod 30 forms a stop or retaining means for the coin when the rod is in a noii-retracted position, and the top wall of the rod 30 is flush with the inclined walls 38 of the block 28 (see Fig. 2), the said walls communicating with the coin receiving pocket 29 of the block, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings', the construction being such that as the -iod 3() is moved outwardly, the coin rides on the top wall of the rod and then drops or gravitates into the coin block as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

An important feature of the invention resides in the provision of the simplified mechanism for accomplishing the functions and results already described, such as the operation of the pneumatic means only in the presence of a coin, the retracting movement of the pneumatic means to an initial position for assuring the delivering or dispensing of a full charge of liquid material, and the preventing of the depositing of a coin until the parts are moved to the start or initial positions, the simplified mechanism for accomplishing these results consisting merely in the provision of a pair of relatively movable members such as the piston rod 27 and the operable rod 30. By simplifying the parts in this manner, I am enabled to provide a positively acting and reliable machine not only, but one which is durable, and in which derangement of parts and hence replacement and repair is reduced to a minimum.

For inhibiting the operation o f the machine with spurious coins, I provide a c oin selecting means which preferably comprises a pair of elongated coin stop elements 39 and 40 arranged below the rods 27 and 30 spaced to define an opening 41 in registry with the bottom opening of the coin pocket 29, the spacing of the coin stop elements being such that a coin of proper denomination will be held by the stop elements in the coin block in position for engagement by the manually operable rod 30, as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, and such that a spurious coin will drop through the opening defined by the stop elements. In the preferred construction, each of the stop elements comprises a member made of sheet material having a horizontal wall section 42 secured to al bottom plate 43, which latter is carried by the walls of the cabinet, a vertical upstanding wall section 44, and an intuined iti maaar@ flange section 45",- theinifier` edge-ofvr which y justr the clearance "or opening therebetween,

and to this end the horizontal Wall section ot the stopelement 39de provided with sc ieiv andslot' adjustingjmeanst, 46, as clearly shown in Figa@ and 4- `o3t` the drawings: In the preferred construction the com selecting `means V39, 110' isfconstructed to define a `support and guide" mea-ns for the operating parts-'oi the-machine, and to this end the iiange elements 45, dalso serve'as apair of guides which are `received I in i guidewa'ys 4i provid-ed `m the coin receiving block i 218,1 the construction beingsufch that the block ann the piston rod attached thereto are supported and guidedi'or reciprocating movementiin the stop element-guides.

For registering or counting:theV number oi operations oi the machine, there is provided aV registering or counting-device 48 hungon thevplate 43, the said vregi'sterin-g means ,inL clnding an operating arm or elementI i9` adapted to: be actuated duri'ng eachfoperation ofthe machine, the `registering device being, ofthe type., wherein thefarm i9'isreturned to an initial orfstarting position-after being operated! To assureth-at thatlthe registeringdevice ivill'fbe operated only when a coin is in the 'coin block, j and i to permit a return of theoperatiiig arm 49 to its initial position Without i interference from i the movable or operable parts-ofthe machine, `the operating arm 4QF is Varranged so as tovprojectlin the path ofmovementy oiA thevcoi-n 34, the arm being directly engaged by the coin when the manually operable meansvB is movedV forwardly asl `vv-ili clearlybe apparentfrom-a con silfleration of lfi'gs.` 3 and vdloifthe drawings-.1

To preventthe return movement ofthe operating artsiotlthe machine until after a complete or fulill stroke has been effected, there is provided a pair of pawls 50,1V 5,0 pivotally m-ountedron oppositel sides ofthe bloch 28, said pawls cooperating' 4with `a pair-` off ratchetsl, lfixed tothe guideestop eleV` ine-nts 39land 40. The intuf1'ned-flange portionsef, ofthe guide-stop elements 39 and 40 are provided. Withv the cutlaways. 52,1 52 at their inner onda-SO as to permitthecoin 34 to drop through thev bottom opening of the coin block 28 `when full operating stroke of the machine is completed, the said coin droppinginto aleoin box 53 arranged beneath the open` ing deiined by the cuteaway' portions 52. By

the provision of ,this construction, itwvill be appar-entthatthe pavvls' 50 and ratchetsl cooperate to prevent a return movement; of the operating parts oi" the machinel except after the operatingstrolre is completed, When the coi-n drops from the pocket 28; and hencel undesirable repeated pumping action 1s in# The coinbox- 53 is preferably arranged in'.y sepa-rate compart-inent so that` access thereto can be gained onlyby` an authorized person',` andftothisendthere is provided a vertical partition llspaced from the casing Wall `13 and-providing therewith a compartment open at itsront endl, which ends is proA vided with' a `removable closure 55 removably pivoted on the pivots 56 and provided `with aV lock 57, the boltoiiwhieh cooperates with a slot-ted member 58 Xed'to the bottom Wall 14. ofthe cabinet casing. F or locking the top Wall 15 inposition, I provide a bolt rod having; ahead 60 secured to the underneath Wall of the top Wall 15,y tlresaid bolt rod being received bfya `bayonet slot 61 provided the plate 43 and being threaded at its lower end for reception of the Wingnutf 62, thesaid Wing nut being" adapted to be screwed against ther underneath Wall ofthe plate t?) i'orfirinly` locking the top Wall or closure 15 in position, as will be apparent.- `With this'coi-istruc-tion access must first' be gained,` to theinterioroif the casing before closure can be eil'ected.`

The improvedliquid dispensingmeans C oiinfiy invention comprises aliquid container 63 removably atlixedto astrap or1 saddle G4 and connected to the nozzle 17 and tothe pneumatic operating means Al by means which may be regulatedto effect the dischargeV of predetermined quantity of liquid. This means comprises a cap orclosure 615' "For the4 container having `a duct 66 "communicatingat one end -With a pneumatic ductor pipe 67 Aconnected-to the nipple @,toifthe pump cylinder `25 and'communicating at the other end With a `branch pneumatic duet 68havingapartL @8^ extending into the container 63 and a part 682 extending from the liquid container to vthe nozzle 17 and provided With a port 691 opening-into thenozzlel` Arranged interiorly'of the branch pneumatic duct 68 is aliquiddischarge duct 70 extending from the liquid container- G3 to the portfSQ, the liquid `duct, 70 terminating short of the said port69, as is' clearly*shoWnin-Fig. 5 offthe drawings. By means of this construction the siphoning of the liquidcontainer from an exterior point, such asfrom the nozzle 17, is prevented.'` For regulating the amount of liquiddeliverable through thenozale, I'provide an adjustingscrew 71 threaded inthe branch pneumatic duct 68 and arranged to engage a flexible portion of the liquiddis charge duct* 68, the adjustment of the screw 71 predetermining theamount oilliquid deliver-able through the `liquid discharge duct. This construction therefore permitsthe ac-y curate regulation of the discharge spray, and prevents unauthorized siphoning of the liquid material from the perfume container;

The operation of my improved perfume dispensing machine and the many advan tages thereof Will inthe main be apparent removal of` the top from they above detailed description thereof. e

To operate the machine, the manually operable means B is moved to its outermost posi-- tion as shownin Fig. 3 of the drawings, such movement effecting the retraction of the operatingv parts of the pneumatic means A.

A'coin deposited in thechute 22 then drops into the pocket 29 of the block 28 which now registers with the chute slot 24. Ifthe coinv is of improper denomination, it will drop through the block, and if of proper denomination, will be held by the stop'elements or retaining means 39 and 40 in the position as shown in Figs. 3 ande of the drawings, so as to form a medium connecting the pneumatic means A with the manually operable means B, so that pressure applied to the handle 31 ofthe latter will actuate the pneumatic means A and the atomizerv deviceC to .deliver a full stroke charge of perfume through the delivery nozzle 17. The operation will be element 39. vIn the absence of a coin in the block, the means B may be manipulated by the operator without effect other than to retract the parts of the pneumatic operating means tothe initial or starting position. If theoperatingparts are not in the starting position, 'a coin deposited in the chute will not be delivered to the coin pocket 29, but will be held in "the chute by the rod 30 until the latter is withdrawn to its outermost position, at which time the coin will fall into said pocket. The atomizer functions to positively deliver a charge of perfume, the amount of which may 'be predetermined vby adjustment, theparts of the atomizer furthermore being constructed to prevent any unwarranted siphoning of the perfume by an unauthorized person.

' Y These andthe other coordinated functions y previously referred to are thus accomplished by the provision of mechanism having fewv parts relatively arranged in accordance with an exceedingly simple law of organization and eooperating'in a simple way to effect a positive operation of the machine for produc- Ving a sure delivery of the liquid perfume in a predetermined amount. The parts are capable of'rugged design, andthis combined with the simplicity of organization ofthe parts results in the production ofa machine which is strong, durable and subject to a minimum amount of derangement, even aftery long periods of service.

While I have shown and described my invention inthe preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that numerous changes and moditications may be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention defined in the following claims.

' I claim;A

1. In a vending machine for dispensing liquids, a pneumatic actuating means includ-l ing a hollow reeiprocable operating member, a coin receiving block fixed to the forward end of said member, a manually operable rod arranged for telescopic movement within said hollow member in the absence of a coin in said block and for operative connection to said member in the presence and through the medium of a coin in said block, complemental means on said rod and member for permitting the relative and telescopic movement between the rod and member upon the forward movement of the rod and for effecting theA retracting movement -of the member` -upon retracting movement of the rod. and a coin chute arranged to register with the coin block when said member is in its fully retracted position, the lower end of the coin chute being 'disposed relatively to said rod so that the rod forms a stop for a deposited coin when the rod is in a non-retracted position and the rod being arranged for communication with the coin receiving block so that the coin rides on the rod and drops into the block as the rod is moved to its retracted position, and spaced guides extending from the bottom of the coin block to support a coin of proper size in front of the plunger andduring active movement thereof, the guides being interrupted at their inward ends to permit downward discharge of the coin upon retraction of the plunger.

2. I-n a vending machine, for dispensing liquids, an actuating means including a reciprocable operating member, a manually operable member, a coin receiving block on one of said members,` the manually operable member being arranged for telescopic movement relative to the operating member in the absence of a coin in said block and for operative connection to said operating member in the presence and througli the medium of a coin in said block, complemental means on said members for permitting relative and telescopic movement betweeny the members upon forward movement of the operable member andV for effecting the retracting movement of the operating member upon retracting movement of the operable member, and a coin chute arranged to register with the coin block when the coin block is in its fully retracted position, the lower end of the coin chute being spaced above -the top wall of the operable member so that the latter forms a stop for a deposited coin' when:the members are in non-retracted position, thetop wall ofsaid operable member communieating with the coin block so that the coin rides on sai'd f operable member and then drops into the coinblock as said member is moved to its retracted position, and spaced guides extending from the bottom of the coin block to support a coin of proper size in front of the plunger and during active movement thereof, the guides being interrupted at their inward ends to permit downward discharge of the coin upon retraction of the plunger'.

3. In a vending machine, an actuating means including a reciprocable operating member, a manually operable member, a coin receiving block on one of said members, said coin receiving block having a coin pocket open at the top and bottom of the block, the manually operable member being arranged for telescopic movement relative to the operating member in the absence of a coin in said pocket and for operative connection to said operating member in the presence and through the medium of a coin in said pocket, and a coin selecting means arranged below said members and block having spaced elongated coin stop elements deiining therebetween an opening in registry with the bottom opening of the coin pocket, the spacing of the coin stop elements being such that a coin of proper 'denomination will be held by the stop elements in the coin block in position for engagement by the manually operable member and a spurious coin will drop through the opening defined by the stop elements, the said stop elements also defining a support and guide means for the members and block and being cut away at their inner ends to permit a coin in said'poclet to drop after a full stroke operation of the machine.

Signed at New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York this th day of July A. D. 1925.

FRED T. ROBERT. 

